At Summit Achievement, we are intentional about every aspect of our program design—from how we spend time outdoors to how we build relationships, structure community life, and support each young person’s growth. One of the most common questions we receive is: Why is Summit an all-gender program? The answer reflects our commitment to real-world preparation, […]
When a child enters treatment—whether for emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges—it impacts the entire family system. Parents often feel stretched thin, juggling worry, logistics, hope, and tough conversations. In the midst of it all, siblings may quietly carry their own confusion, fear, sadness, or even guilt. They might feel left out, or worse, responsible. […]
When the clocks turn back, and daylight becomes scarce, something shifts—not just in the sky, but inside us. The world feels quieter, slower, darker. And while it’s tempting to retreat to warm corners indoors, winter offers something uniquely powerful—especially if we’re willing to step outside, even when it’s cold, even when it’s dark. At Summit […]
As the air turns crisp and snow blankets the White Mountains, Summit Achievement shifts into one of our favorite seasons: winter. For many, adventure therapy might seem best suited for sunny skies and warm days—but at Summit, we believe that meaningful growth happens year-round, no matter the temperature. Why We Embrace Winter Adventures Adventure therapy […]
As the holiday season approaches, many of us envision joyful gatherings, festive meals, and time spent with loved ones. But for families whose teen is in treatment or struggling with mental health challenges, this season can feel very different. The contrast between what’s “supposed” to be a time of celebration and the reality of worry, […]
When you become a parent, you naturally begin to imagine the life your child will lead—the milestones, achievements, and memories that will shape their story. You picture a path that feels familiar: school successes, close friendships, college visits, and a bright, steady future. But sometimes, that path changes. Mental health struggles, anxiety, depression, or substance […]
For many parents, discovering that their teen is experimenting with alcohol, cannabis, or other substances can feel like the ground has shifted. It’s natural to worry about where this might lead—Is my child addicted? Did I miss something? How do I respond? For many teens, substance use rarely exists on its own. It often occurs […]
Parenting teenagers often feels like a tug-of-war: one moment, your child is declaring their independence with a slammed bedroom door, and the next, they’re asking for a ride, money, or help with homework. The paradox is summed up perfectly in Anthony E. Wolf’s book Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me […]
Christina Buttons, Speaking Out to Help Change the Narrative about Teen Residential Treatment Christina Buttons is an investigative reporter at the Manhattan Institute. Her work focuses on a range of social issues, including youth mental health treatment. Her data driven reporting offers a well researched counter to the oft reported “negative narratives” about residential treatment. […]
Trust: The Hardest and Most Important Work When Your Child Is in Residential Treatment When your child is in residential treatment for mental health challenges, the concept of trust can feel complicated, fragile, and sometimes, painfully out of reach. You may trust the therapists and staff, but feel unsure about your child’s honesty. You may […]
For many parents, school refusal can feel like a baffling and frustrating challenge. One morning, your teen simply can’t—or won’t—get out the door. What starts as a day or two of missed classes can quickly snowball into weeks of missed learning, mounting anxiety, and concern for their future. At Summit Achievement, we’ve worked with many […]
As a professional or fellow parent with a struggling teenager, the question comes up often – “how do I help my teen find their motivation?” Parenting a teenager—especially one who’s struggling—often feels like walking a tightrope. You want to guide them, encourage them, and sometimes even pull them forward when they seem stuck. But when […]
Let’s face it, parenting has never been easy—but in today’s world, it can feel more overwhelming than ever. The pressures of social media, academic demands, shifting cultural expectations, and rising mental health concerns have created a parenting landscape that is both unfamiliar and intense. Parenting a child who struggles with mental health challenges is deeply […]
When your teen is in residential treatment, it’s natural to feel a sense of urgency—urgency to see progress, to right past wrongs, to get everything “back on track.” As a parent, you may find yourself focusing on what needs to change: the behaviors, the attitudes, the choices. But there’s a vital principle that can transform […]
When your teen is making progress in their mental health journey, every step forward can feel like a victory. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, they slip back into old patterns—maybe isolating themselves again, struggling with school, or lashing out emotionally. As parents and caregivers, this experience, called regression, can be discouraging. Yet, it’s a […]
Adolescence is a time of rapid growth, identity exploration, and emotional development. For teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this period can be particularly complex. While ASD itself is not a mental illness, it profoundly affects how individuals perceive the world, interact socially, and manage emotions — all of which can significantly influence mental health. […]
If you’re a parent staring down the incredibly difficult decision of sending your teen to a residential treatment program, you’re not alone. The thought can feel unbearable: Will it be too hard for them? Will they think I’m abandoning them? What if they fall apart? But here’s the truth that often gets buried beneath our […]
When faced with mental health challenges, parents, guardians, and referring professionals often turn to residential treatment programs for help. Summit Achievement, a licensed residential treatment center and an accredited school, offers intensive support in a structured, therapeutic environment — but how can families and referral partners know if Summit Achievement is truly effective? The answer […]
Adolescence is a time of significant change, marked by emotional, psychological, and social development. For many adolescents, navigating this phase of life within the context of family dynamics can be complicated. The family, as a primary support system, can either be a source of empowerment or a source of conflict. One model that helps understand […]
What follows in this blog is meant to be an overview of ADHD and its impact on mental health. We want to be clear that ADHD is very complex and difficult to summarize in this short format. Our clinical team can “geek out” on this for hours with extensive pages of information, but that is […]
Here at Summit Achievement, we believe that a strong family component is an integral part of the treatment process and plays a significant role in the success of the child after leaving Summit Achievement. We partnered with renowned author and parent coach Krissy Pozatek, MSW to design our innovative Summit Achievement Parallel Process Curriculum. Just […]
When providing effective care and support for adolescents in residential treatment settings, one of the most vital roles is that of the direct care staff, who we refer to as “guides.” These folks are often the unsung heroes in adolescent treatment programs, and their impact on the therapeutic process cannot be overstated. Their role goes […]
The process of grieving when your child is in residential treatment can be a complex and deeply emotional experience, often compounded by shifting expectations. A lot of families feel grief but don’t necessarily name it that because it is not what we commonly associate grief with. Nonetheless, parents do, in fact, suffer a loss of […]
The Summit Achievement Continuum of Care Model works with adolescents ages 13-20, dealing with mental and behavioural health challenges, substance use and experiencing difficulty within their family, school, and/or personal lives. The focus is on long-term success and lasting change by integrating diverse elements of care in a residential treatment setting that include adventure expeditions, […]
Winter expeditions (we call them expos!), including camping and hiking in Maine, are a unique and magical experience. The snow-blanketed wilderness, crisp air, and serene landscapes offer an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature, build resilience, and overcome a variety of mental health challenges. Expo skills and tools learned year-round are not based on primitive […]
The holiday season is often a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for families with children in residential treatment, it can be a period marked by emotional complexity, heartache, and deep reflection, and families face the season with a unique set of challenges. There are many reasons why the holidays can be so difficult […]
Being there for your depressed adolescent The teenage years can be a challenging time for both parents and adolescents alike. Amidst the hormonal changes, academic pressures, and the pursuit of identity, some teens may find themselves grappling with depression. At Summit, we work with many teenagers who struggle with depression and help parents learn how […]